Judges’ 48-hr ultimatum, threaten nationwide pen-down strike over Rajshahi killing

Staff Reporter :

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate security measures for judges across the country following the fatal stabbing of a district judge’s son in Rajshahi.

If their demands are not met by Sunday, judges nationwide will begin a collective pen-down strike, halting judicial activities.

The ultimatum—signed on Friday by the association’s president, Md. Amirul Islam, and general secretary, Muhammad Mazharul Islam—calls for two urgent actions: deployment of security personnel for judges’ residences and during their travel, and strict disciplinary measures against police officials accused of negligence in the Rajshahi incident.

The association said the Rajshahi attack has exposed the “alarming vulnerability” of members of the judiciary and their families. On Thursday, District Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman’s 17-year-old son, Tawseef Rahman, was killed in a knife attack at their rented home in the Dabtala area of Rajshahi city. Tawseef’s mother, Tasmin Nahar, was seriously injured. The attacker, 35-year-old Limon Mia—known to the family from earlier—was apprehended after being injured during the scuffle and is now under police custody.

As of Friday morning, no case had yet been filed at the local police station, a development that has further fueled frustration among judicial officers.

In their declaration, the judges condemned the police’s handling of the aftermath, particularly the alleged negligence in providing security to the judge’s family and the “unlawful and unprofessional” decision to present the arrested suspect before the media. They demanded exemplary action against those responsible.

The association said the judiciary performs “some of the most important and high-risk duties of the state,” yet judges and their families remain exposed to threats due to the government’s “consistent inaction” on long-standing security requests.

According to the statement, the Supreme Court has repeatedly written to the executive branch urging security measures for court premises, judges’ residences, chambers, and official vehicles, but “no visible steps” have been taken.

Many district and subordinate court judges, the association noted, are forced to live in vulnerable rented accommodations and travel on rickshaws, vans, or even on foot because of inadequate government housing and transportation facilities.

The association announced that all judges will wear black badges on Sunday to protest the deteriorating security environment and to mourn Tawseef Rahman’s killing.

If authorities fail to implement the security measures within the next 48 hours, the judiciary will resort to a nationwide pen-down strike, an unprecedented move that would paralyse courts across Bangladesh.

The attack has sent shockwaves through the judicial community, prompting renewed calls for comprehensive protection measures and highlighting the broader concerns about the safety of state officials amid a volatile national environment.